Vani FF// The Phoenix (Thread 2 Link in Pg 1) - Page 32

Wow...

Finally padh liya...

Awesome update...

Excellent...

Chapter 63 was so cute..poor tapish bhai yaar..meera toh waqai tubelight hai..Their whole conversation was UBER CUTE💕.

the singhania siblings and v and bani eavesdropping the whole thing was so much fun.

It was always my wish to see vani spending time at banis house.lekin yaha bhi meera broke my heart💔🤣..I guess veers as well..bechara sofe pe so Gaya...liked that little vani scene where ever got super possessive when bani said she won't live with him.vani is ❤❤.

After last Sundays episode..chapter 64 was like all our wishes fulfilled with the apt punishment for Jay..it was amazing ..I wish Jay in show also got the same punishment.

Seeing veeranshu back in his element was a seeti bajao moment🥳🥳🥳🥳.

And liked how he got Chased by tapish bhai and hid behind bani..so cute.

As always ..excellent update..can't wait for the next chapters and more vani romance😜.

Tum insaan na jaise aladdin ka genie ho gyi!!😆

Maine kaha jai ko maar do aur tumhe tapaka diya usse...😳

Oh my god, tapish flirting and oblivious meera!!!🤣 veer ne ek dam sahi kaha meera ki halat to bani se bhi buri hai romance mai!!!

Chalo atleast oblivious hi hai..meri tarah awkward toh nhi hai na!!😆

Tapish always gave that super organized rule following serious introvert businessman vibes!! And you've written him down perfectly!!

Meera will have to assimilate herself to cheels and the supernatural world..not just because of her budding romance with tapish but also because she's a part of this world whether she wants it or not. And moreover, she only has her human capabilities and her family to help her out in this world. At the lowest rung as a human, Meera better adapt soon!!

Cheelu baby your image in front of your father in law is not very nice eh!! Better work on it!! Chachi buttering up veeranshu as usual. Possessive veeranshu is a treat to watch. Chachi and her obsession with ameer log.😂

Bani you really think that your devars and patidev will leave you in danger and go off home to rest!!

Adi naagin toh puri ki puri pighal gyi...checking on her sleeping husband!!

Now let's come to my fav scene, jai ki tai tai phis!!!😆

Jai you ultimate coward. How shameful that Adi naag had to use a human as a shield and as a bait....stooped so low!!

What I don't get is what could jai achieve by using meera as bait. What was the plan, make veer or bani kill themselves.. ask for naag mani as ransom?? Quite stupid of you dhabbevale!!

Bani egging on jai by using his insecurities was a brilliant move. It was a adi naagin playing with her prey.

Veeranshu singhania, you cold bast**d. But ig you're right na, if there's anyone who deserves to see jai beaten up by bani, it's you.

I love that bani took the lead and did uthak pathak with jai but left it to veeranshu to kill him. Jai might have betrayed her but it's veer who was hurt the most due to him and she knows it.

Bani destroying Jai's venom glands and then letting veer kill him made me realise how protective she is of him. She destroyed the only thing that jai could use to hurt her husband and family and then left him to dogs..oh sorry cheels!!😆

Veer gave that dhaabevala almost a death reminiscent of his death in satyug. The story has taken a 180 degree turn.

I think like his own family, even the world had begun to think that sanki singhania is becoming soft. But Jai's death will be a good reminder for everyone that Veeranshu's crazy might come out as love for bani but for the rest of world, he is still the same, sanki and paagal!!!

Chapter 65

The regular residents of Sharma Residence were woken up by the smell of some really amazing food being cooked. Chachi and Mr Sharma woke up first to find Tapish in the kitchen. On the opposite side of the open kitchen was Veer, Sam and Vanshika. Vanshika was sitting next to a pile of papers. Highlighter in her hand as she marked several lines on the papers.

“Arrey, aap kyu khana bana rahe hai? Bani kahan hai?” Chachi asked and was about to wake up Bani but Veer stopped her.

“Nahi, nahi, Aunty. Zaroorat nahi hai.” Tapish told her.

“Sasumaa, Tapish bhai ki speciality hai khaana banana. Aapne abhi tak Tapish bhai ke haath ka khaana nahi khaya.” Veer made her sit. That’s when they realized that both Veer and Tapish weren’t wearing a shirt but wore an apron.

“Damad ji, aapko garmi lag rahi thi kya?” Chachi asked.

“Nahi, aunty. Iss idiot ne hum dono ke kapdo pe wine gira di.” Tapish explained. “Use dhote nahi toh woh stain kabhi nahi jaayega.” Tapish explained pointing to Veer.

“Tapish bhai, aap mere peeche aise bhaag rahe the aur wine gir gayi.” Veer defended himself.

“Well, what I’m glad for is that we still have some wine.” Sam raised his glass. Sam was sitting next to Vanshika at the dining table.

“Subeh subeh kaam kar rahi ho?” Meera came up.

“Mergers hai, Meera di. I’ve got to close the deals.” She explained.

“Aaj toh Saturday hai…” Mehek complained.

“Jab job lag jaati hai toh koi Saturday, koi Sunday nahi hota.” Mr Sharma chuckled. Vanshika chuckled.

“Ek minute…” Tapish stopped Meera as she was about to enter the kitchen.

“Tapish, mujhe khana banana aata hai. Just because I messed up baking doesn’t mean I can’t cook.” Meera exclaimed.

“Meera, dekho, kitchen bohot chota hai. Agar kahin aag lag gayi toh pura ghar jal jaayega.” Tapish started pushing her back softly.

“Tapish, main iss ghar mein pichle 19 saal se khana bana rahi hun. Aaj tak kuch nahi hua.”

“No one gives a damn. Please step back. Main already bana raha hun. Tumhe rehna hai yahan toh jaao uss taraf Veer ke saath khadi raho. But yahan kitchen ke andar nahi.” Tapish kicked her out.

“Mujhe laga tha ki ameer logo ke ghar khana banane wale log hote hai toh unhe aata hi nahi hoga.” Chachi laughed.

“Hum mein se kisi ko nahi aata but Tapish bhai ki hobby hai.” Veer explained. Tapish worked like a professional chef in the kitchen.

“Veer, yeh le. I want you to cut them in cubes.” Tapish told Veer. “Sam, isko theek se mix kar.”

The brothers got to work. Bani looked at them. They looked so much different than she had imagined them to be. Bani lived with them. She knew they were close knit as a family but they never seemed so homely before. All of them had their own quirks.

“Pass kar.” Veer asked Sam to pass the wine bottle. Veer drank some wine and passes the bottle to Tapish. Tapish took the drink.

“Farmhouse ready ho gaya hai.” Sam announced as he got a message.

“Perfect…” Tapish smiled.

“Last time hum uss farmhouse pe the toh kya mazaa aaya tha.” Sam exclaimed.

“Kya ho raha hai?” Bani asked Veer.

“Well, guys, sabh jaldi ek week ke kapde pack kar le kyuki hum sabh holiday pe jaa rahe hai.” Veer told everyone.

“Nahi, beta. Isi zaroorat nahi hai.” Mr Sharma smiled at them.

“Hum tayyar ho jaate hai phir.” Chachi agreed.

“Sasurji, kya karenge akele ghar pe. Humaare saath chaliye.” Veer insisted. “Abh itne bhi senior citizen nahi hue aap.”

Bani glared at her husband.

“Papa, kisi aur ke liye na sahi mere liye chaliye na…” Bani requested holding her father’s arm.

“Please… saare log table ke paas aa jaaye. Breakfast ready hai.” Tapish told them all. Bani set the plates on the table for everyone and Tapish served the breakfast.

“Kya baat hai!! Aisa lag raha hai kisi 5-star hotel ka breakfast kha rahe hai.” Dehek exclaimed. Everyone just loved the food that Tapish had made.

“Aap khana banana pasand karte hai?” Mr Sharma asked Tapish. For him, it was an odd hobby. He never thought that any of the Singhanias would do chores like that.

“Bohot pehle se khana banata tha. Mere bhaiyo ke khane mein bhi nakhre hote the toh sabko inke liye khana banata tha. Bas tab se accha lagne laga.” Tapish explained with a smile.

“Aapko Masterchef mein jaana chahiye.” Chachi buttered with a laugh. Tapish just smiled.

“Maine dad aur Bade papa ko message kar diya. They’re already set. Thodi der mein ghar se nikal rahe hai. Hume bhi jaldi karna chahiye.” Sam told everyone.

“Hold on, guys. I need a memo. Konse konse kapde pack karne hai?” Vanshika asked.

“Well, it is a cliff side farmhouse, neeche beach hai but it’s a lot rocky. Good for diving and swimming so if you want, get beach clothing.”

“Wow… mazaa aayega.” Mehek exclaimed excitedly.

Tapish and Veer wore the same shirt on which there was wine stain.

“Sabh teri galti hai. Abh yeh stain nahi jaayega.” Tapish felt damn uneasy with a large wine stain on his clothes. To wear the stained shirt was making him cranky. “This looks ugly and completely disturbing.”

“Tapish bhai, Wine hai khoon nahi. Relax.” Veer commented.

“Khoon hai ya wine, all that matters is that there is a damned stain on my shirt and I’m supposed to wear it outside.” Tapish commented.

The car was ready. They were all divided in three cars. Pawan, Balwant, Chachi, Mr Sharma, Meera and Tapish in one car. Vanshika, Sam, Daksh, Ponky, Mehek and Dehek in the jeep. Veer and Bani in the other car.

“Vanshika, ek week ke liye tumhe seriously do suitcase lage?” Bani asked in disbelief.

“Are you kidding me? Of course. Abh I need night clothes. Singhanias hai aur party na kare yeh possible hi nahi hai. Toh kuch party clothes hai, beach clothes, some casuals, thode se trekking ke liye. Phir shoes, essential items, sunscreens aur accessories. Sabh ek suitcase mein kaise aayega?” Vanshika asked like she was mad.

“Bhabhi, it doesn’t sound wrong. Veer bhai aur mere bhi do do suitcase hai.” Sam agreed. Tapish insisted on wanting to change his shirt. Finally, wearing a shirt that was stain-free, he felt quite better.

“Feeling better, Tapish bhai?” Veer asked laughing.

“Kaafi better.” Tapish shut him up. Everyone laughed at that.

“Tumne toh Tapish bhai ko gussa hi dila diya.” Bani commented.

“Nothing new there.” Veer answered. He opened the car door for her and she sat inside. Veer sat in the driver seat.

“Ready?” Veer asked.

“Haan…” Bani nodded.

If there was one thing about Veer she had to still get used to, then it was his speed. His driving was fast. His flying was even faster.

“Veer, hum aadhe ghante mein waha nahi pohochna.”

“Haan but unke aane se pehle hume ek kaam karna hai.”

“Kya?”

“Remember tumne kaha tha ki tumne pehle naaglok ke saare entrance aur exit pe jaadu kiya tha. Koi bhi Chandrakala se mila hua naag andar se bahar ya bahar se andar jaaye toh tumne pata chal jaayega? I want you to do the same.”

“Ek minute. Toh yeh holiday trip kisi wajah se hai?”

“Tumhe kya laga? Apne honeymoon ke liye jaa rahe hai?”

Bani glared at him. “Konsi musibat aa rahi hai abh?”

“Sam ne abhi tak kuch dekha toh nahi hai but I am quite sure that Markaat kuch toh plan kar raha hai. Mera doubt hai ki Jay ko Meera par attack karne ke liye Markaat ne hi uksaya hai. It’s the easiest divide and rule game. Ek taraf tumhari family ko target karega taaki tumhara dhyaan un par rahe. Dusri taraf meri family par attack karega taaki mera dhyaan inpar rahe. That way hum dono ko alag alag kar paayega. Itna toh Markaat ko samajh aa gaya ki agar ek saath rahe toh Markaat hume hara nahi paayega. The other thing is that hum iss sabh mein busy rahenge toh uske kawach ko todne ka tareeka nahi dhundh paayenge.”

“Sabh ek saath rahe toh unhe bachana asaan hoga.”

“Exactly. Aur farmhouse isiliye choose kiya hai kyuki mujhe Alaknanda ne kaha tha isi jungle ke paas mein koi baba rehte hai. Jinhe uske baare mein pata ho sakta hai.”

“I sense a ‘but’ in what you’re saying.”

Veer chuckled. She had actually started to really get him. “But… he’s reclusive. Unhe dhundhna mushkil hai.”

“But we know that he lives in the forest for sure?”

“Haan. Yeh toh confirm hai.”

“Toh hum jaldi jaa rahe hai taaki safety measure laga sake aur unhe dhundh sake?”

“Jahan tak unhe dhundhne ki baat hai, we’ll try to do that while we’re there. Kyuki agar baba kisi se milte nahi zyaada toh unhe thode se time mein dhundhna asaan nahi hoga.”

“Anyway. Dhundh lenge.”

Veer was driving the car. He was wearing his sunglasses. The typical black outfit. Yet, Bani couldn’t help but feel that he looked a little too attractive today.

‘Bani, pagal hai kya? Veer humesha hi same style mein hota hai.’ She tried to control her urges.

‘Kyu? Control karna zaroori hai kya? Mera pati, meri marzi..’ Her heart was adamant that he looked really handsome today. Bani smiled and decided to give into her urges. The road was almost empty.

Veer was enjoying the music playing on the music system as he was driving. The grip on the steering wheel was a little too easy. Without a warning, Bani kissed him on his cheek. He was taken aback with it. He held on the steering wheel this time with the sudden shock. He looked at Bani in shock.

The way he looked at her, Bani broke into laughter. She threw his head back laughing. He looked so shocked.

“Not that I’m complaining but what was that for?” Veer asked her, moving his head between the road and Bani.

“Bas aise hi…” She answered. Veer stopped the car, pulled her and kissed her lips. Bani pulled away.

“Abhi toh bol rahe the jaldi jaana hai...”

“Distract tumne kiya hai. Don’t blame me.”

“Oh… Veer Singhania itni jaldi distract ho jaata hai apne kaam se?” The challenge in her tone was teasing.

“Sweetheart, main haarne walo mein se nahi.”

“Do second nahi lage mujhe tumhe distract karne mein. Tum mujhse nahi jeet sakte…”

“Dekhte hai. Let’s see your best.”

Veer started to drive the car again. Bani was game. She put her feet in his lap. She noticed how he gripped the steering wheel. Trying to be a little brave, she let toes move under his shirt. She could swear he was on the edge of grabbing her leg.

Veer turned to look at her. The challenging craziness was in his eyes. Bani instantly knew that grin. Veer’s hands went to the gear.

“Veeranshu…” Bani sat up properly. If there anyone who can go berserk in the speed, it is Veeranshu Singhania. He lives for the rush of speed.

“Aww…. Sweetheart ko darr lag raha hai??” He cooed at her teasingly. He moved to the fifth gear. Next thing Bani knew, they were going superfast. Bani quickly put on her seatbelt. There was a grin on his face. “I dare you, sweetheart. Agar iss speed ke sath tum apna seductive tries to get to lose kar paao toh I’ll accept my defeat.”

“Pagal ho gaye ho, Veeranshu. Accident ho jaayega.” Bani exclaimed. “We’re exceeding the speed limit.”

“Veeranshu Singhania ke life mein koi limits nahi hote hai, gharwali. Especially not speed limits. Abh tak toh tume yeh baat pata ho jaani chahiye thi.”

He turned and looked at her. His eyes focused on her. Bani made him look at the rode.

“Nahi… I don’t want you to get distracted. Sorry ki maine tumhe challenge kiya. Main haari, bas? Please dheere gaadi chalao.”

“This is still nothing, sweetheart. Abhi meri speed kahan dekhi hai tumne?”

“Are you insane?” Veer laughed and soon enough stopped.

“Abh kyu ruk -” Bani realized they had reached the place. When she looked around it, she knew why all the boys were so excited for it. It was beautiful cliff side home which faced the sea. The beach down was untouched. People did come there because of the rocky edges. Even though the cheels didn’t like water, their inner eagle was still tuned in to be able to fly over the sea. She could hear the waves. A little walk down and they would be at the beach.

“This is actually beautiful.” Bani said.

“Thank you.”

Bani finished her work first of creating a barrier for anyone who might be sent by Markaat. The interior of the farmhouse was well made. Veer caught her hand and took her ahead inside.

“This is our room.” Veer told her. The large open balcony that overlooked the sea. The balcony had a round hanging bed with curtains on it. A larger bed was inside the bed room. It looked beautiful. The room’s interiors were light and dark.

It was difficult to say where the room ended and where the balcony started.

“Veer, Bani?” They heard Ballu and walked down.

“Dad… Accha hai sabh aa gaye.” Veer said as he saw all the Singhania, Sharmas and Vanshika.

“Kya, Veer bhai? Ek hi baar mein gaadi aise bhi kya tezz bhaga di? Beech mein theek lag raha tha ki aap paas mein hi aur suddenly inte tezz gaadi chalayi?” Ponky asked. Veer turned to look at Bani.

“Inhe mujhe challenge karne ka mann kar raha tha. Bas dikha diya.”

“Tumne cheating ki hai?”

“Maine cheating ki hai? Na na… Use cheating nahi kehte. That was taking the challenge to equal sides.”

“Gaadi dhere chalaya kar, Veer. Kisi din tera car crash karega. Car race nahi thi yeh.” Balwant also told him.

“Ballu, relax. Kuch nahi hua na…” Veer put his arm around Balwant’s shoulder. “Hum dono bas Naagin Cheel khel rahe the.”

“Tumhe main batati ki kya hone wala hai.”

Bani started throwing the pillows on the sofa at Veer. Veer dodged every single one of them together. He laughed as he did that.

“I swear, sweetheart, isse kharab aim ho sakta hai?”

The pillow was launched at Veer. He ducked and went towards Sam but Sam dodged it in time. The pillow hit Ponky on his face. Sam and Veer broke into laughter as Ponky stumbled.

“Oye… yeh kya hai. Aate hi attack.” Ponky tried to get into karate position.

“Bani, yeh kya tareeka hai? Apne pati ke saath aise koi ladta hai kya?” Chachi scolded Bani.

“Bani, abh bacchi nahi, beta.” Mr Sharma agreed with his wife.

“Papa, yeh…”

“Haan batao kyu maine itni tezz gaadi chalayi.” Veer grinned.

“Inn dono ko rehne dijiye, Uncle. Yeh dono aise hi hai.” Tapish assured.

“Matlab Bani humesha ladti rehti hai?” Chachi asked. She hit Bani on the head. “Pati ki baatein sunni chahiye, Bani.”

“Iski baat sunu? Aise ideas mat do. Waise hi kam musibat hai yeh?” Bani commented.

“Bani…” Mr Sharma tried to get her to stop.

“Exactly. Bani kabhi meri baat nahi sunti. Abh toh aadat si ho gayi. Humesha hi ladaku vimaan mood mein hoti hai.” Veer went on being dramatic. Tapish rolled his eyes. Ponky, Daksh and Sam laughed at that.

“Uncle, abh agar Bani Veer se nahi ladegi toh kisse ladegi? Bolte use hai jisse bolne haq hota hai. Agar itna haq nahi hota toh Bani kuch bolti hi nahi.” Vanshika pointed out. “Aise thodi na hota hai ki pure din silent rahe? Thodi masti honi chahiye.”

“Yeh masti hai? Ise bachpana kehte hai.” Chachi added. “Meri Meera, Mehek Dehek aisa kabhi nahi karte.”

At that Tapish broke into laughter. “I’m sorry. Bas kuch yaad aya toh hasi aa gayi.” Tapish commented looking at Meera.

“Shaadi se pehle hi ladiaya ho rahi kya, Tapish bhai?” Ponky asked in a whisper. Tapish gave him a smile and grabbed him in headlock.

“Kitne funny hai tu, Pankaj.” Tapish gave a smile but his tone was dripping with sarcasm. The brothers laughed.

“Not funny, Pankaj. Abh Tapish bhai kis mushkil se guzar rahe hai woh tu nahi samajh sakta hai.” Sam teased.

“Just as funny as it is ki jis ladki se tujhe pyaar hai woh ladki tere bhai ko baby kehti thi.” Tapish retorted. Veer broke into laughter. “Tujhe bohot hasi aa rahi hai.” Veer shut up before Tapish went ahead to taunt him.

“Acha, okay. Rooms divide kar lete hai. Kyuki maine Vanshika ko dare diya hai ki woh mere saath room share kare toh Vanshika aur main room share kar rahe hai. Ponky aur Daksh ek room mein hai. Mehek Dehek ek room mein hai. Dad aur Bade papa ek room mein hai. Veer bhai aur Bhabhi ek room mein. Aunty aur Uncle ek room mein. Bache Meera aur Tapish bhai.” Sam suggested.

“Kya? Tum aur Vanshika?” Chachi asked surprised.

“Haan. Hum car mein aate aate truth and dare khel rahe the toh Sam ne Vanshika ko challenge kiya room share karne ke liye.” Mehek explained.

“Aise kaise dare dete ho?” Mr Sharma asked. Vanshika and Sam had already made up the plan long ago so Tapish and Meera could stay in one room together. “Meera toh Mehek Dehek ke saath bhi reh legi.”

“Uncle, ek room mein sirf do log reh sakte hai. Aur humare Tapish bhai kaafi sanskaari hai toh aap tension mat lo. Meera ko uska personal space definitely milega.” Sam said.

“Papa, aap tension mat lo. Mujhe na sabh mein se Tapish bhai sabse acche lagte hai.” Bani told her dad to assure him. “Aur agar koi hai jispe sabse zyaada bharosa kar sakte hai toh bas Tapish bhai hai.”

“Aur main kya karun? Mar jaau?” Sam asked in a dramatic fashion. Bani waved her hand and shut him up.

“Aap bhi bas meri tarah Tapish bhai ko pasand kar hi lo.” Bani insisted.

“Hello, tumhara pati khada hai yahan. Mera naam tak nahi liya?” Veer asked. Bani walked next to Tapish and held his arm.

“Please. Abh kuch logo ki choice humesha hi chocolate boy hoti hai.” Bani said, giving Tapish a smile. Tapish smiled at her.

“Hello, excuse me, kya? Unhe bhai kehti ho.”

“Haan. That’s because meri life ke saath dhoka hua hai. Agar main tumse nahi mili hoti aur pehle Tapish bhai se milti toh definitely bhai nahi bante. But then yeh tragedy hua meri life mein.”

“Chocolate boy chahiye tha ended up with the bad boy.” Vanshika added.

“Abh mere saath tumne shaadi kar li aur isiliye Tapish bhai ko mera bhai banna pada.” Bani finished.

“Baat toh sahi hai.” Tapish agreed.

“Kya sahi? Kya comparison kar rahe ho? Ek taraf humare hot, sexy aur super popular Veer bhai aur dusri taraf sanskaari, cute aur serious Tapish bhai hai. Dono itne alag alag hai. Matlab agar aapko Veer bhai pasand hai toh Tapish bhai pe crush kaise ho sakta hai? Aur agar Tapish bhai pe crush aa sakta hai toh Veer bhai kaise pasanda aye?” Daksh asked.

“Bas tu mera saccha bhai hai, Daksh. Tapish bhai aur Sam ko maine disown kar diya hai.” Veer added.

“Veer bhai, main bhi haan… main bhi aapke team mein.” Ponky stood behind Veer.

“Abh sabko zindagi mein sabh kuch nahi mil sakta, Daksh. We don’t always get what we wish for.” Bani said.

“Veer bhai, saala dhabewala mara toh Tapish bhai competition ban gaye?” Ponky asked Veer.

“Sweetheart, chaho toh puri duniya se yeh baat kehlo but the fact still remains ki tum mere pyaar mein deewani ho. Cause at the end of the day, you’re still Bani Veeranshu Singhania. Aur agar tum mere pyaar mein deewani nahi hoti toh mere liye itna nahi pareshaan hoti. Let’s be honest there. Tumhari life ke romantic side mein mera koi competition ho hi nahi sakta. Na saala dhabewala aur na hi Tapish bhai.”

“Haan. But I’m not the one for bad boy type.”

“True kyuki tumhara type Veer Singhania hai. Aur iss puri duniya mein Veer Singhania jaisa koi dusra nahi hai. I challenge you on that. Kyuki chahe jo bhi ho jaaye. Na toh iss duniya mein mujhse zyaada koi tumse pyaar kar paya tha aur na hi kar paayega. Jis din aisa koi aa gaya jo tumse mujhse zyaada pyaar karta ho, woh din mere existence ka aakhri din hoga.”

Veer looked Bani right in the eyes. He wasn’t playing around when he said that. His eyes had that intense, possessive look.

“Duniya mein kuch bhi ho sakta hai par yeh nahi ho sakta hai ki meri jagah tumhari life mein koi aur le le. Kyuki agar koi hai jo tumhare liye jaan de sakta hai aur jaan le sakta hai toh sirf main hun.”

“Veer beta, sirf mazak kar rahi thi, Bani.” Mr Sharma thought Veer got offended.

“Main mazak nahi kar raha tha.” Veer answered.

“Uncle, aap pareshaan kyu ho rahe hai. This is quite normal. In dono ki masti hoti hai aur suddenly veer intense ho jaata hai. He’s not offended or anything. Dono ke beech jhagda nahi hoga iss baare mein. Veer ko bhi pata hai ki Bani mazak kar rahi thi.” Tapish assured him.

“Ek kaam karte hai. Tapish bhai, aap aur Meera fresh hoke lunch ki tayyar kar do. Main aur Bani thoda nature walk leke aate hai.” Veer offered.

“Haan theek hai.” Tapish nodded.

Bani and Veer went outside.

“Tum bhi aise suddenly react mat karo. Papa sach mein darr gaye the.” Bani told him. He put his arm around her shoulder.

“Main kya karun. Mera reaction bas aa jaata hai.”

“Tum Tapish bhai se jealous bhi nahi the.”

“Of course, tha. Tumne yeh kaha ki tumhe sabse zyaada unpar bharosa hai. I want to be your greatest everything. Your greatest lover, your closest confidant, your best friend, your most trusted aid, your strongest shield, your greatest well-wisher, your center of attention.”

Bani looked at him. She still felt the same feelings when he looked at her so intensely. She was comfortable with him, a lot comfortable. He was her safe place but then sometimes she feels like the same intense feeling in her chest. The crazy fireworks going off.

“Tum meri jaan ho, Veeranshu, isse zyaada abh kya kahun? Mera aasmaan ho tum.” She said. She held his hand. She shook her head to move her hair out of her face. It didn’t work so tried to blow it off her face but it returned to its position. Veer moved out of her face.

Mischief came to his thought. He silently made cool air blow around the place. He knew Bani didn’t like the cold.

“Uh hun…” She complained at the sky, not realizing Veer was doing it. She wrapped her hands around him. He was warm and she liked it. She was like her personal heater and he didn’t mind it. After all, whatever gets her to be close to him. Veer put his arm around her. She pushed his jacket over her. Well, as much of it could be over her. It had become a habit to her that every time she felt cold, the first thought that came to her mind was Veer.

It took a moment for Bani to realize. Why would there be cold air around the afternoon? She looked at Veer and he grinned at her.

“Tum kar rahe ho yeh?” She asked.

“Main kya karun, sweetheart? I just want you to hug me.”

“Toh keh dete.”

“Haan but you don’t hug this tight unless you’re cold.”

“Hum jaa kaha rahe hai?”

“Well, who says we can’t have some romance while getting work done. While walking a bit around here, we can cross out some area that we have looked around the forest.”

“Pata kaise chalega how much area we have covered?”

“Cheel GPS…” Veer pointed to his head and winked at her. Bani raised an eyebrow. There was nothing such as a cheel GPS. Veer laughed. “Well, I have a map. Usmein ek area mark kar diya hai maine. That is the area we’re going cruise around and cross off the area."

“Ek baat. If you can talk to the birds like a Disney princess, why can’t you ask them if they can find the baba.”

“Sweetheart, they’re birds. They can’t find someone unless we describe them who we’re looking for. Abhi toh hume khud nahi pata ki kise dhundh rahe hai. Alaknanda gave me a description of her aura. Birds can’t find someone based on their aura. They recognize the aura they have come across once. They can’t point out someone’s aura and recognize it if they’ve never felt it. Jaise they recognize Aakesh’s aura in me and that’s why they answer to me. They’ve seen you with me and hence might recognize your aura. Jab tak un insaan se milenge nahi, they can’t find them because everyone will seem like a stranger to them. Agar photo ya kuch hota toh they could have found him but we don’t know how he looks.”

“Hm…”

“Waise, we’ve got to come back to the baby conversation. New Year ke baad se we haven’t gotten to finish the conversation.”

“Hey Bhagwaan!! Abh lagta hai main bacche ke baare mein bol rahi thi but jaldi toh tumhe ho rahi hai.”

“Bani, I was stumped. Tumne suddenly kaha ki tumhe mere jaisa baby chahiye. Toh abh I have to be prepared.”

“Its not that I don’t a baby. They’re adorable, cute and all but kuch cheezein hai. 1, I just had my postgraduate a while ago toh I am still thinking ki I’ll want to work for a while. I’ve got diploma in Mass Media. I’ve worked in an advertising company while getting my diploma but I quit after a while. I just didn’t get the environment well there in the company. So, I thought it was better to quit on good terms. Abh soch rahi hun ki I should work for a while. Abhi toh humaare saamne Markaat bhi hai. Although Naaglok mein abhi itna rebellion toh kuch nahi ho raha about our marriage. But let’s give them a while before I throw a baby on their face. Ki lo, abh yeh baby bhi hai iske bhi aage peeche ghumo. MBA karne ke plans the but papa ka financial condition hai nahi use support karne ka. Aur I still need saving to fund that.”

Veer looked at her.

“Yahan khada hai tumhare saath koi.”

“Please… abh tum kahoge ki main tumhe help kar dunga and all that but thanks.”

“Tum phirse wahi ‘I am an independent woman and I don’t need you to throw money on my face’ jaap karne wali ho?”

“Hey!! That’s my life motto. Tum nahi samjhoge.”

Veer rolled his eyes. “Gharwali, what is mine is yours toh problem kya hai?”

“I don’t know. Accha lagega mujhe yeh sochke ki haan, I’ve managed to do it on my own.”

“But seriously, back to the original question. Yeh thought aaya kyu suddenly ki tumhe mere jaisa baby chahiye?”

Bani looked at him and sighed. “Because it’s a natural instinct. Hota hai. Har ladki ki ladke ke against do weakness hoti hai. The two moments which melts her. Ek jab woh apne boyfriend ya pati ko kisi baby ke saath dekhti hai aur dusra, jab apne boyfriend ya pati ko uski maa ke saath dekhti hai. At the end of the day, jo bhi ladkiya plan karti hai future mein ki unhe bacche chahiye, she’s going to look for a man who can love a baby. Jaise uska pati uski maa ko treat karega, she’s going to assume that he own future child will be the same to her.”

“Haan, okay, but why suddenly all that while you’re drunk?”

“I don’t know. I saw you with that baby eagle. Jaise tum uske saath itne pyaar se khel rahe the, use udna shikhaya then jaise tum apni maa se bohot pyaar karte ho. Chahe woh tumhari apni maa rahi ho ya phir Chandrakala. Even if she was evil, you were always nice to her. Bas.”

“Tumhe mujhe Chandrakala ke saath dekh ke ye laga ki tumhe mere jaisa baby chahiye??” Veer laughed.

“Not just that. Tum jabhi apni maa ke baare mein baat karte ho, you suddenly become adorable. Bohot hi cute si smile hoti hai tumhare face pe. You go from being the bad boy to being mamma’s boy. Bas. It must have suddenly dawned on me because I want my child to love me that much too. Ki jabhi woh mere baare mein soche, uske face pe bhi wahi smile ho. I think the first time ever I thought you were adorable was then. Pehli baar yeh thought mere dimaag mein aaya ki somewhere deep inside you’re really sweet. Jo apni mom ke saath baithke face pack laga ke unke saath cartoon movies dekh sakta hai while she’s pregnant, woh itna bura nahi ho sakta.”

Veer was surprised. He’s had girls falling for his charm, his attitude, his looks and his money but Bani fell to a side of him that he had forgotten existed.

“Then there’s how you are with your brothers. Aur jaise woh tumhare saath hai. Relationships work two ways. Tumne unse itna pyaar kiya hoga tabhi toh woh sabh tumse itna pyaar karte hai.” She added.

“Aur mujhe yahan laga ki maine apne charm se tumhara dil jeeta hai…” Veer sighed.

“I’d say that I’m attracted to your charm and your personality but I fell in love because regardless of how you are on the outside, tumhare andar woh chota sa side hai jo kaafi adorable hai. Baby rabbit jaisa.”

“Bani, cheel rabbits ka shikaar karte hai please don’t compare me to rabbits. It is offensive.”

Bani laughed. She put her head on his shoulder and laughed.

“Acha okay. Baby rabbit jaisa nahi toh Cheel baby jaisa. Happy?”

Chapter 66

“Wait a minute, tumhe kaise pata ki main bachpan mein kaisa dikhta tha or what I wore on my coronation?” Veer asked surprised while they were talking about their childhood.

“Daddyji ne mujhe tumhare bachpan ke photos dikhaye the. I swear, tum humesha se hi sabko pareshaan karte the.” Bani laughed.

“Kabh?”

“When I thought you were dead. Khana nahi khaaya jaa raha that oh daddyji aaye the. Unhone mujhe khana khilate waqt tumhari photos dikhayi thi. You hated your school uniform, nahi?”

“Wait a minute!! Dad ne, you mean mere dad?”

“Haan.”

“Damn. Ballu ke tevar badal gaye. Tumhe khana khilane aaye?”

“Haan. Jab maine kaha ki mann nahi hai toh thoda sa khud bhi khilaya. I was crying toh unhe samajh nahi aaya ki kya kare. Unhe laga ki shayad tumhari bachpan ki photos dekhungi toh I’ll stop crying.”

“The point remains that out of everyone in this world dad tumhare paas aaye tumhe comfort karne. That’s the last thing I’d imagine happening. Tumhe pata nahi hai ki unhe tumse kitni nafrat hai. Correction. Thi. Nafrat thi. Seems like Ballu bhi pighal raha hai.”

“We both have one thing in common. We both love you. Shayad saare drame ke baath unhe ehsaas hua ki I’m not a threat to you anymore and tried to make truce. Jab yeh lagne laga ki abh main unke bete ke jaan ke peeche nahi hun, he started accepting me.”

“But photo album mein mere coronation ke photos nahi hai. He has a whole different photo album for that.”

“I saw a portrait of you from your coronation at the island’s library. It surprised me. I wasn’t expecting a 15-year-old to have facial hair growing.”

“Hota hai. Cheel side ke wajah se hormones jaldi click on hote hai.”

“Haan aur shayad tumhe pehle zyaada colours pehnte the.”

“Red shirt…” Veer remembered that and laughed.

“Teer bhai ne mere liye select kiya tha. He insisted that I wear that red shirt. Bas unke Khushi ke liye pehen li.”

“Teer is really good at painting.”

“Haan. I wish I could have had that skill. Mom was an artist. Unke death ke baad dad caught on the habit of buying paintings as a memory. Teer bhai ke painting exhibitions lagte the. He never attended them but they were all taken to the exhibition. Teer bhai mujhse bohot pyaar karte the. We have several memories. You remember maine tumhe bataya tha ki maine ek bacchi ki jaan bachayi thi? Use dhundhne mein Teer bhai ne meri help ki thi. We looked through the newspapers for any information. Usmein likha tha that there was only two survivors but uske baad kya hua kuch pata nahi chala. Teer bhai ne koshish ki use dhundhne ke liye because I wanted to meet her.”

“Tumhara Knight In Eagle Wings syndrome.”

“What?”

“Haan. For someone reason, it’s a coincidence ki jabhi mujhe kuch hota hai, tum humesha aa jaate ho waha.”

“That is a different issue. I choose to come for you. This just happened to be something like being at the right place at the right time.”

“Na… At this point it might not have been a coincidence. Generally, you have a certain time till which you practiced your flying there but uss din tum wahan zyaada der ruke the.”

“Coincidence, Bani.”

“Coincidence nahi hai. Shayad you were always meant to be someone who’ll always protect me.”

Veer looked confused.

“Main samjha nahi.”

“Teer was really close to finding me.”

“Teer bhai tumhe kyu -” The light bulb lit up in his mind. Bani kept walking ahead but Veer stopped. “Ek minute… tum keh rahi ho ki it was you?”

“Tumne mujhe aur Jay ko bachaya tha.”

“Shit… Maine uss dhabewale ko bachaya? Damn it!!” Veer did his drama. Bani rolled his eyes. “Shit… seriously? Toh tumhare jo kandhe pe panjo ke nishaan hai that is not from the time I saved you from the truck blast?”

“Nahi. Tabh tak toh meri Naagin shaktiya aa gayi thi. They heal up and don’t leave scars. But since yeh tabh ke hai jab meri naagin ki shaktiya nahi thi toh isiliye it left a scar.”

“Tumhe koi gehri chot lagi thi kya?”

“Nahi. I could have had worse injuries. Cut thoda deep tha because your talons are sharp but rest of me was unharmed. Search team bohot surprised thi ki yeh kaise hua ki main bach gayi. My mom died in the crash but hospital se papa mujhe apne saath le gaye.”

“Kash tumse pehle hi mil liya hota.”

Bani just smiled at that. The two covered the area that Veer had planned to cover to look for the baba but couldn’t find him. Veer sighed. He was hoping that they’d find him at the first day itself so he can have some more time to plan.

“Well, next half.” Veer opened the map and crossed off a section of area.

“We’ll be able to find him soon, Veer. Relax.” Bani assured him.

“Tum dono bhi jaao. Fresh ho jaao. Phir lunch kar lete hai.” Pawan told them.

The two quickly got freshened up and sat at the dining table. Bani felt someone breaking through her trap. Bani caught Veer and looked at him. Veer looked at Balwant. Balwant nodded.

“Sabh khaate raho. Mujhe aur Pawan ko kuch kaam.” Balwant excused himself and Pawan.

“Mujhe woh zinda chahiye.” Veer whispered to Balwant. He nodded.

Balwant and Pawan went out. Veer gave an assuring look to Bani that Balwant and Pawan would handle the issue. Everyone started to eat.

“Toh iske baad kya plan hai?” Mehek asked.

“Sabh thoda rest kar lete hai. Then shaam ko beach pe chalte hai.” Tapish offered.

“Okay…”

After lunch, the Sharmas returned to their room to rest for a while. Veer walked towards the room where Balwant and Pawan had kept the ones who tried to break in and enter the farmhouse. Bani followed him. They went to the car shed outside. There were some four cheels.

“Ek bhaag gaya.” Pawan told Veer.

“Honest baat karte hai. Agar tum kisi kaam ken ahi rahe toh I don’t see why I should let you be alive.” Veer told the cheels.

“A…aap aise hume nahi maar sakte.” One of them tried to tell Veer. Veer laughed. He sat on the chair set for him.

“Yaa toh tum mujhe jaante nahi yaa phir bhul gaye.” Veer answered.

“Tu muh khol de aur bata de ki Markaat karna kya chahta hai yaa phir Veer bhai tujhe khol denge.” Daksh warned.

“Hum kabhi nahi batayenge.” Another cheel answered.

“Ek kaam karo, ise aise hi bandh ke samandar mein phek do. He’s not interested in saving his life toh theek hai. I’m not being a hero either.” Veer told his brothers. Daksh and Ponky moved to grab him.

“T…tum aisa nahi kar sakte, Veer. T…tum c…cheelon ke Rajkumar ho. Y…yeh sahi n..nahi hai.” He felt scared. Veer laughed.

“Exactly. Main cheelon ka Rajkumar hun. Aur tum mere khilaaf aaye ho. That’s called treachery. Treason. Aur gaddaron ko mauka dene ka matlab tabh hota hai jab unhe samajh aaye ki kisse baat kar rahe hai. Yeh taaj mera hai, yeh position meri hai aur raaj bhi mera hai. I don’t like someone walking over my authority. Tumne toh kabka rasta chodke Markaat ka saath de diya toh tum mujhe batane layak nahi ki mujhe tumhare saath kaisa behave karna chahiye.” Veer answered.

The brothers dragged him away.

“M…Markaat ne hume bheja tha. Markaat chahte hai ki hum Adi-Naagin ko khatam kar de. Hume iske aage kuch nahi pata. Markaat hume kuch batate nahi hai. Khud mein tay karte hai aur hume sirf kya karna hai yeh batate hai.” One of them opened their mouth.

“Uske saath kitne cheel hai?” Veer asked.

“Kuch 40-50 cheel uske saath hai. Markaat ne un sabhko shaktiya dene ka wada kiya hai.”

Veer thought for a moment. This would foolish for him to send more cheels. He was aware that if war breaks out, he needs an army and 40-50 isn’t a huge number against the cheel strength that Veer was. Especially Singhanias. Balwant, Pawan, Tapish, Daksh and Sam were quite some powerful cheels. Ponky was slightly less of danger but his loyalty made up for the loss of his strength. Balwant had made it a point to make the family powerful. Tapish looked silent and calm but he was still Balwant Singhania’s flesh and blood. He did carry that ability to wreck well. Ready to fight when needed.

“Inhe yahin rakho. Aage dekhte hai ki kya karna hai.” Veer told them.

“Veeranshu…” Veer turned around. She was slightly injured. Beautiful dark hair with a few golden strands. She had beautiful greyish brown eyes. The woman who stood there was beautiful. Almost as tall as Veer. She ran up towards Veer and touched his arm.

“Tum par attack hua tha?” Veer asked her.

“Zaroori yeh nahi hai. Abhi ke liye zaroori yeh hai Markaat har mumkin koshish kar raha hai tumhe rokne ki. Shayad use pata bhi hai ki tum uss baba ko dhundh rahe ho. Ek, tumhari jaan ko khatra hai aur dusra, unki jaan ko bhi khatra hai.” She looked completely out of her element and freaking.

“Ek minute. Saans lo pehle. Sit.” Veer made her sit. “Panic karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Saans lo.”

Veer brought a glass of water for her and gave it to her.

“Veeranshu, tum baat samajh bhi rahe ho?” She asked him.

“Bilkul samajh raha hun. Shakura mujhe marne aane wala hai. Sun liya.”

“Shakura hai. Mazak nahi.”

“Main Veeranshu Singhania hun.”

Veer healed her injuries.

“Tum itni dur udd ke aayi ho kya?”

“Aur kaise aaungi? Insaano ki tarah na toh mere paas paise hai aur na hi mujhe gaadi chalani aati hai.”

“Baby, wahan phone naam ki cheez thi. Call kar leti.”

“Tumhara number nahi hai na mere paas.”

“Dial records mein check karti toh dikh jaata.”

“Haan. Cheelon ka jhund aa gaya tha aur main phone book mein tumhara number dhundhti baithti, hain na?”

“Uhmm… uhm…. Bhabhi, kya ho raha hai?” Ponky asked Bani in a whisper.

“Veeranshu…” Bani moved towards Veer. She pulled Veer away from Bani and behind her.

“Yeh naagin hai…” She shouted. Her talons pulled out.

“Haan, yeh Bani hai.”

“Bani nahi naagin hai.”

“Arrey iska naam Bani hai.”

“Jo bhi hai. Isse dur raho. Tumhe pata bhi hai konsi musibat mol li hai? Pehle pagal ki tarah naaglok chale gaye aur abh ek naagin ko apne saath yahan le aaye?”

“Excuse me…” Bani decided to break up the conversation. She looked at Bani. Bani moved ahead but she blocked her from getting to Veer.

“Main tum saanpo ko phir se yeh karne nahi dungi. Ek baar das ke Khushi nahi mili ki phirse aa gaye?” She asked. The bitterness in her voice.

“Popcorn hai kya?” Sam asked Tapish. Tapish hit him on the head.

“Dekho, tumhe koi misunderstanding hui hai.” Tapish tried to tell her.

“Ek naagin par bharosa karna misunderstanding hai?” She asked.

“Babes, yeh Bani Singhania hai. Meri biwi.” Veer explained to her.

“Biwi? Tum pagal ho? Naagin ke saath shaadi kon karta hai?” She asked.

“Gharwali, yeh hai Alaknanda.” Veer introduced.

“Veeranshu, tum itni badi galti kaise kar sakte ho? Yahan sabh tumhe bachane ki koshish kar rahe hai aur tumne ek saanp se shaadi kar li?” Alaknanda couldn’t believe it.

“See, I don’t want to be rude to you. Tumne Veeranshu ki jaan bachayi hai jiske liye I’m thankful to you but…” Bani started walked towards the stairs where the two were standing. Alaknanda walked stood tall and brave. “… Mere shaadi ke baare galat ideas na hi laao toh accha hai. Jitna tumhe Veeranshu ka khyal usse zyaada mujhe hai kyuki Veeranshu mera pati hai. Tum mujhpar bharosa nahi kar sakti, your problem, but mere pati ko mujhse koi khatra nahi hai.”

She held Veer’s hand.

“Isiliye use mujhse defend karna ki zaroorat nahi hai.” Bani finished.

“Saanpo pe bharosa nahi hota mujhe.” Alaknanda added.

“Sure. Main bharosa karne ke liye keh bhi nahi rahi.”

Veer whistled to silence them.

“Calm down. Dono thoda saans le lo. Alaknanda, regardless of the fact that Bani Adi-Naagin hai, woh mujhse pyaar karti hai. Bani se sirf mere dil ko khatra hai mujhe nahi.” Veer told her and turned to Bani, “Bani, relax. She’s still new to this. Cheel reaction natural hota hai ki naagin par doubt kare. Give her a while, she’ll come around.”

“Dil ko khatra hai, matlab?” Bani asked.

“Haan… mera dil tumpe qurbaan hai, sweetheart. Abh tumhari khoobsurat adayein hai toh dil qurbaan ho hi jaayega. That’s enough of a threat.”

Bani glared at him. Veer felt that Bani wasn’t really pleased with someone claiming that he needed protection from her.

“You know what? Kaafi dur se aayi ho. Baitho aur kuch kha lo. Tapish bhai best khana banate hai.” Veer took Alaknanda down the stairs, made her sit on a chair and served her some food.

Bani took a deep breath not to feel jealous. One, she was the only one who called him Veeranshu. Someone else coming over and calling him Veeranshu made her feel uneasy. Two, Veer doesn’t generally bother himself with healing people’s injuries or serving them food but he did to her. No, Bani tried not to get jealous. Three, the way Veer laughed when Alaknanda tried to defend him from Bani. Why was it funny to him? She didn’t find it hilarious. Bani looked at the two.

“Pawan, sirf mujhe jalne ki smell aa rahi hai ya tujhe bhi aa rahi hai? Kuch jal raha hai kya?” Balwant asked with a grin to Pawan as he watched Bani stare at the two sitting by the table. Balwant leaned against barrister of the stairs.

“Khana jal raha hai ya nahi, yeh toh nahi pata par haan mujhe naagin ke jalne ki smell aa rahi hai.” Pawan answered. Bani turned around to throw them a look.

“Bhabhi, aap paani piyo…” Daksh offered, trying to control his laughter.

“Paani gaya bhaad mein.” Bani pushed him aside and went up the stairs. The way she stormed off, it made the Singhanias laughed. Veer turned around at the sound of laughter. He saw Bani storming off to the room. His family was also looking at Bani.

Veer stood up and walked towards his family.

“Billi ke panje aa gaye bahar?” Veer asked laughing. A little later, Bani came down.

“I think we should get to work.” Bani told Veer.

“Sure…” Veer let her walk ahead.

“Main bhi aati hun.” Alaknanda offered. Bani wanted to say something but decided to stay silent.

“Tumhe pata hoga ki unhe kaise dhundhna hai.” Veer agreed. The three followed.

“Waise tumhe iss baba ke baare mein kaise pata chala?” Bani asked.

“Himalay ki chotiyo pe jo sadhu hai unhone mujhe inke baare mein bataya tha. Bohot varshon ki tapasya ke baad unhone shakti paayi thi ki woh unhe bohot saara gyaan mile. Us mein se ek hai yeh ki Narayan kawach ko kaise todna hai.”

They covered some area while looking for the baba. They reached on of the edge. Alaknanda smiled as she stood by the edge.

The air blew so softly over them. The breeze called to the birds to fly into their freedom. It was natural feeling. Veer had always been addicted to that feelings. He turned into a cheel and flew off into the air. Gliding through the air. Showing off his flying acrobatics. Diving and then suddenly taking up in the air again.

A few moments later, Alaknanda turned into her cheel form and flew too. Two eagles flying the air. Almost racing to see who can fly faster. Bani stood there watching. A soft insecurity budding into her heart. He’s a free bird. Free of every boundary. The allure of the wind was something she couldn’t understand but she could feel how much it made Veer happy. She knew Veer loved her. The was no doubting how much he loved her. It was something that couldn’t be doubted. Ever. Yet, the small budding insecurity poured into her.

How could someone who lived in the air ever bind themselves to someone who lived in the boundaries of the land?

The reminder of how the two were different was reminded to her again. He seemed happy while flying with her. Almost play-fighting. Bani turned around and left. She started running. She was running physically but couldn’t outrun the feeling in her chest. It had stopped being jealousy and started to border line on worry. It was silly to think that it was important.

She was almost running when Veer stood before her.

“What?” Bani turned around, trying not to face him. Veer turned her around and made her look at him. He pushed her against a tree. She tried to look away but Veer held her face and made her look at him. He blocked her way so she can’t run off.

“Bani, just because I fly and you don’t doesn’t change what is between us.” Veer told her. Bani looked into his eyes. His eyes were strongly on her.

“Kuch nahi hai. I’m fine.” Bani tried to deny it. He looked at her. His eyes almost staring into her soul.

“Pata chal jaata hai, sweetheart.” He pointed to her heart and then his own. “Connection hai hum dono ka.”

Bani wrapped her arms around him. Veer chuckled and shook his head. She rested her head on his shoulder.

“Kuch bhi soch leti ho. Itni baar tumse kaha hai ki main tumse kitna pyaar karta hun aur phir bhi bakwaas soch leti ho.” He chided her.

“I love you, Veer.” Bani said. That surprised him. Those three magic words. She told him indirectly that she loves him before but not in those exactly three magical words. The way she said it was a sign of her vulnerability.

“Pyaar hai toh bharosa bhi kar lo.”

“Bharosa hai na, Veeranshu. Par I can’t help but feel that.”

Veer tried to pull away but she didn’t let him and held him closer. Veer was a little surprised. He smiled and held her tightly.

“Jitna mujhe udna pasand hai utna hi mujhe tumse pyaar hai, Bani. You don’t ever have to worry about it.”

The two were quite happy in their embrace. Alaknanda saw it and smiled. Myabe, just maybe, Bani wasn't the enemy. She could give her a chance. Her natural reaction to snakes was seeing them as enemies. Then she looked at the way Bani was hugging Veer. As if her life depended on it. No one could fake that strong emotion. Also, if what she had heard about Sheshnaag vansh's naagin was true then Bani wasn't tricking him.

While all of them were in their own sides. Markaat played his final stroke. He was going to kill that baba. If he knew the secrets to his kawach then, he'd make the baba tell him what it was and kill him. Veer would never know the secrets of it. That said, he started to fly off towards the jungle with many cheels behind him.

Awesome..mind blowing..

Loved the way tapish takes care of everyone..

Car ride was awesome.

Bani being jealous of alakananda but veer assuring her immediately. That was so good.

Loved it.

Waiting to know what happens.

Update soon

Awesome...

Amazing...

Super excellent update...

Continue soon...

Awesome yaar..

Brothers bond ❤️

Emotional talk between husband and wife ❤️
❤️..good to hear!!

Finally Alaknanda aa hi gayi!! I am guessing next parts gonna be a war sorts... full action ....Bring it on!!

These days this ff has become my happy place. Your update these 2 chapters made my day when I read it in the morning.

I like the eternal romance between tapish bhai and kitchen😜🤣..seriously it's too cute.

He even pushed out meera!

And its lovely that the singhanias understand vani and their relationship more than sharmas..now even ballu and pawan have joined in!..this is what I always wanted to see in the show.

The vani scene in the car. Her teasing .his response to that😍😍..you wrote it so well that I could see it play out in front of my eyes.

And that little bit when veer made the air cold..just so that his gharwali would snuggle in his arms..❤❤..#justveeranshuthings.

Waise i have to say..when veer showed their room in farmhouse to bani...I was like wow this is perfect for romance 😍😍😜🙈.

And yay to veer for bringing up the baby question..😜..glad he didn't forget it.

The mention of shakura always makes me uncomfortable..maybe because how he was a creep to bani.

Banis jealousy and insecurity with alaknanda was so genuine .and Iiked how veer dealt with that.And I'm super glad she isn't a third angle either .

As always looking forward to the next chapters and more vani romance 😜🙈.

Forever grateful to you for writing this story that has literally literally become the continuation of the og nagin5 and vani we adored..*hugs*.

Chapter 67

Veer was used to always being one step ahead of his enemy. That was how he kept all the cheels under his control. A bit over-confident. He played well but Markaat was no child. He was playing the game too. Markaat knew that Veer had brought all of them together so he can protect them. He’s shown he can think on the same lines as Markaat. The way he knew that Markaat was going attack both sides to break them. That was a clear indication to Markaat.

Adi-Naagin. Markaat had seen her go from being someone who hated Veer to someone who was his greatest shield. He had played her well too. Using that chemistry between them to make her fall for him. Veer’s greatest strength was being able to work according to the situation. He was quick to mould himself as the situation demanded. Yet, Adi-Naagin wasn’t like that. She was like an atomic bomb. Once it goes off, she blasts off everyone in the nearby area. Her temper reminds Markaat of the way they speak of Rudra Shiva. She imbibed the element of Rudra Shiva in her which makes her danger. She has a habit of giving someone several chances but once she’s done, she’s not going look twice before leaving someone in the burning fire. When she abandons, there’s no hope for anyone else coming to save them. She would rage and react. Unlike Veer who takes his time to react.

“Yahan ruke hue saare logo ko uthao. Insaan ho ya phir cheel.” Markaat ordered the cheel. Shakura and Markaat went further. He knew the man Veer was looking for. He walked ahead forward to the place the sage lived at. Flying off towards the place.

He saw the man. The sage. He sat there meditating. “Narayana…” He chanted. Markaat chuckled. Did people not know that he doesn’t show up just because they chant his name? Markaat had found it foolish. He was once the same.

“Nahi dikhenge tumhe. Chahe hazaro varsh pooja kar lo.” Markaat taunted.

“Prayas ki baat hai, Suryash. Use paane ki chah mein Jeevan vyateet karna sabke saubhagya mein nahi hota. Tumhe toh yaad hoga ki unki ek jhalak bhi kaise tript kar deti hai.”

Markaat laughed. He remembers. Not a sight he could forget. Narayan. Anyone who had once seen him would never forget him. It gets inked in their soul. Yellow dhoti, the most enchanting smile. sweetest words which could have bitterest truth. His mind works faster than the winds itself. The smile would never leave his lips no matter how dire the situation is. His beauty was indescribable. His long hair that came till his shoulders and curled softly at the ends. The only male who would ever apply alta over his palms and feets. Even with those feminine additions, he’d leave behind every man in his masculinity. The entire nature played to his will. Yet, he played to the nature’s will. His eyes always showed when he had a mischievous thought. He could be a God and a child at the same time. He’d prank like a child and then say something so deep that only Gods like him could say.

“Uske baad jitni bhi prarthna ki ek jhalak tak nahi di. Parchayi tak nahi dekhi.” Markaat answered.

“Yeh tumhari sazaa thi, Suryash. Jo tumne kiya tha uska bhaar toh tumhe uthana hi hota. Ghamand tha tumhe ki Narayan tumse milte the aur isiliye tum pura sansaar apne aadheen kar sakte ho. Uss ghamand ko cheenna hi sahi sazaa thi.” The sage answered.

True. Markaat had worn it with pride that Narayan held close affection for him. He had assumed that just because the Lord held affection for him, he deserved the whole world. He deserved to be the greatest, the most powerful. He deserved to be above the laws of nature. Above the law of predators and preys. There shouldn’t be anyone greater than him.

The cheels had gathered around. They had captured the Sharmas and Singhanias.

Veer, Bani and Alakananda showed up. Both Bani and Veer had found him. Veer saw the whole group of cheels gathered around. Nikhil Parikshit being one being a little too confident. Markaat stood there. The sage was sitting fearlessly, meditating.

“Suryash, kisi sadhu ko marna sahi nahi hai.” Alaknanda tried to tell him.

“Tum mujhe mat batao, Alaknanda.” Markaat growled angrily.

“Markaat, mere pariwaar ko chod do. Tumhari dushmani mujhse hai.” Bani tried to tell him. Mehek Dehek, Chachi, Mr Sharma and Meera were all caught by Markaat.

“Insaano ki itni fikar ho rahi hai, Nageshwari?” Markaat asked her tauntingly.

“Nageshwari? Arrey uska naam Bani hai.” Chachi commented.

“Maa, aap chup rahiye. Ise irritated kiya toh sach mein maar dega.” Meera told him.

“Yeh koi mafia wale log hai kya?” Chachi asked. Markaat turned around and looked at Chachi.

“Iss aurat jaise logo ke liye itni fikar? Ise jeene yaa marne se duniya ko koi fark nahi padega, Nageshwari.” Markaat told her.

“Woh mera pariwaar hai, Markaat. Unhe chod do. Tum hari dushmani mujhse hai toh mujhse lado.” Bani told him. Markaat laughed.

“Ek kaam karo, Nageshwari. Mere saamne aake prarthna karo ki main tumhare pariwar ko bacha lun. Tabh main unhe chod dunga.” Markaat offered.

“Main apna sar sirf apne Bhagwaan ke saamne jhukati hun.” Bani made her pride clear.

“Bechari, Nageshwari. Na toh Hari aayenge tumhare pariwaar ko bachane aur na hi Mahadev. Dono ko aur bhi bohot kaam tumhare pariwaar ko bachane ke alawa.” Markaat commented.

Veer was silent. He just kept looking at the sage. If there was one thing he knew about those who lived their life in the devotion of Narayan was how even in death, they’re completely fearless.

Veer knew something was happening. The sage had already realized what was happening but that smile didn’t leave his face. He knew something. He knew whatever was happening was going to end well. If he was going to die today, Veer knew that the sage knew it. Veer’s silence surprised everyone.

“Veer, kuch toh bol.” Balwant told him. Veer didn’t answer he just looked at the sage. Markaat was confused to. He was expecting Veer to get violent and start a fight. This calm reaction wasn’t something Veer had noted.

“Yeh log Mafia hai kya?” Chachi asked.

“Insaan nahi hai.” Markaat answered. Markaat opened his wings. That made Mehek Dehek almost shout.

“Tum koi angel ho kya?” Mehek asked. Markaat raised an eyebrow.

“Maut ka farishta nahi. Mrityu ka devta hun main.” Markaat answered.

“But woh post toh Yamraj ki hain na?” Dehek pointed out. Meera hit her head.

“Just shut up.” Meera told her sister.

Veer just kept looking at the sage. Bani was confused. Balwant was confused. Even Markaat was confused at the behaviour.

“Lagta hai tumhe sadma laga hai isiliye aise atak gaye ho.” Markaat commented and all his cheels laughed.

“Markaat huzoor, aapke saamne aake Veer ki phat gayi hai. Bohot over-confident rehta abh saari akad nikal gayi.” Nikhil laughed.

Veer was in his thoughts.

“Aakesh, kuch vyakti apne shaanti mein bohot kuch keh jaate hai. Woh vyakti jisne varsho tapasya mein bitayi ho, uska tej hi uska gyaan dikhata hai. Uss tej ko padhoge toh apne saare sawaal ke jawaab paaoge.”

Veer was trying to read through the silence and depth of the sage’s meditation. Veer closed his eyes and tried to feel the sage’s energy. Only soul can read through someone’s aura. Felt something reach him. He saw an image. The first image was clear to him. Ram and Lakshman. He was holding an unconscious Lakshman and crying over him. The second image was Krishna and Balram. Balram had got Krishna to stand on his shoulder. Krishna looked over his brother with a beautiful smile. The third image was that of Garud with Narayan. Narayan was sitting on a swing and swinging it. Garud was telling him a story animatedly with an excitement that matched with a child. Narayan found the story silly but still smiled at how happy Garud was. He laughed at that.

Veer opened his eyes in confusion. Why did the sage show him the images of Narayan? How was that supposed to be an answer.

“Tum chatur ho, Veeranshu. Mujhe aasha hai ki tum samajh jaaoge. Mrityu atal hoti hai. Jeevan ke har ek kshan ki ginati uske paas hoti hai. Us ginti ke na ek kshan adhik, na ek kshan kam jeene denge. Main apne Hari’s chaaya mein chala hi jaaunga. Tumhe unka kaary pura karna hai. Tumhe gyaat hai ki tumhe janam kyu diya tha.” The sage spoke to Veer.

“Chalo, accha hai. Tumne Veer ki maut ka aelan kar hi diya.” Markaat commented with a laughter.

“Tumara saubhagya hai ki tumne apne Jeevan kaal mein unhe dekha hai.” The sage told Veer with a smile.

“Maine dekha jo aapne mujhe dikhaya par iska matlab samajh nahi aa raha.” Veer expressed his confused.

“Hari…” The sage had just uttered the name when Markaat hacked through his head.

“Aaaahhhh…” Mehek Dehek fell unconscious at the violence. The head of the sage rolled down. Veer closed his eyes. He winced. Chachi started shaking violently. Mr Sharma was close to having a panic attack.

Bani’s temper raised.

“Tum puri tarah apne raaste se bhatak chuke ho, Markaat. Aaj toh ek sadhu ko maar diya tumne.” Bani roared at him.

“Nageshwari, apni awaaz mat uthao mere saamne.” Markaat roared, trying to scare him but Bani stood that unshaken. The scales flashes on her skin. Black and blue patterns on her scales.

“B…bani??” Chachi started to get scared. Bani had her naagin eyes.

“Narayan bhi tumhe bachane nahi aayenge, Nageshwari.” Markaat threatened her. Alaknanda punched him in the face and Markaat fell back.

“Tum abh apne muh se unka naam lene ka adhikar kho chuke ho, Markaat. Har maryada bhul gaye ho tum.” Alaknanda reminded him. Markaat looked really angry. Markaat pulled out his wings and talon. He proceeded to attack Bani. Bani dodged it.

There was an idol of Narayan there. Perhaps the sage had made it. Narayan on Sheshnaag and Garud kneeling before him. This had to mean something. Veer just knew it.

“Kisi bhi Bhagwaan ke bhakto ko maare toh Bhagwaan ko krodh aata hi hai, Aakesh.”

But Markaat couldn’t possibly harm Sheshnaag or Garud.

Alaknanda attacked Markaat. She pulled out her wings. Large and golden. Her face was flashed with anger. She attacked viciously. She was fast but Markaat was prepared for it. Her fatal flaw was her pride. She wouldn’t back out from a fight even if she’s outnumbered. Shakura started attacking her. She tried to dodge but the talons cut through her.

“Aaahh…” Alaknanda exclaimed. She attacked Shakura but Markaat grabbed her in a headlock. She closed her eyes and thunder rang through the sky. Like those who are descendants of Garud, she could command the storm. Indra was himself a friend of Garud. The lighting was about to strike Markaat but Markaat jumped away. He was well aware of what Alaknanda could do.

She couldn’t command the sky like Veer. The sky did everything that Veer would command it. He could command the wind, the sun, clouds, lightning, thunder and even storms. An aerial fight broke out between Markaat and Alaknanda.

Veer was still lost in thoughts trying to find a way through it. The fight broke. Singhanias had started off fighting the cheels who sided with Markaat. Vanshika ran to help the Sharmas. She defended them against the attacks.

“Bani, meri Rani…” Shakura moved towards Bani.

“Mujhse dur raho.” Bani hissed at him and tried to fight him. Bani kicked him in the gut and fell away. Bani was really angry. The next time Shakura tried to get to her, she punched him in the face.

“Tumhe apni Rani banana chahta tha par tum hi ho. Itni ziddi. Kabhi sun liya karo apne pati ki baat.”

“Haan toh sunugi jab mera Pati, Veeranshu Singhania, kahega. Tum kuch nahi ho mere.” Bani elbowed him. She hissed at him.

Bani looked at Veer. She couldn’t understand why he wasn’t reacting. Nikhil stabbed him the back but he still didn’t react.

“Veeranshu…” Bani exclaimed and threw away Nikhil from him. She healed him but felt angry that Veer just stood there statue. “Yeh statue banke kyu khade ho?”

“Shshh…” Veer silenced her.

“Use kya shaant kar raha hai? Sahi sawaal puch rahi hai. Tu kar kya raha hai?” Pawan demanded.

“Chachu, thodi der chup rahiye.” Veer told them.

No, there is a reason. There is a reason why he was shown an image of Ram with Lakshman, Krishna with Balram and Narayan with Garud. It can’t be for no reason. Everything that was attached to Narayan had a tricky form. He generally gave it to them that way to make them find out on his own. Narayan would come to his people as an advisor but not do the work for them. Veer stared at the idol.

“Konsa ishara hai yeh? Sheshnaag aur Garud ko Markaat chahkar bhi chot nahi pohocha sakta.” Veer thought. Shakura had Bani pushed over the idol. She was pushed down over the Sheshnaag’s coils. Alaknanda was thrown against Garud’s idol, she was injured by the sharp edges of the idol’s wings.

“Narayan ki sharan li thi maa ne isiliye Markaat ne unhe maar diya.” Aakesh had told the man.

“Jisne bhi Hari sharan li hai use Hari ne apnaya hai, Aakesh. Mujhe pura vishwaas hai ki unhe apne Narayan ki sharan mil hi gayi hogi.”

“Pata nahi. Ho sakta hai. Maa toh chali gayi. Koi hai nahi jiski parwa ho. Mera apna koi pariwaar nahi raha maa ke baad. Baba humesha se hi apne mein hi lage rahe hai.”

“Tumhara pariwaar hai, Aakesh. Ek din tum awashya miloge usse jise dekhke tumhe apnepan ka vichaar aaye.”

“Koi aisi cheel ladki nahi hai jise main apna pariwaar samjhu. Par maa ko kyu itna pyaar ho gaya Narayan ki bhakti se ki unhe apne marne ka bhi darr nahi raha. Kya Narayan ke bhakt apne saathi ko bachane nahi aate? Unhone maa ko kyu nahi bachaya?”

“Aakesh, tumhe ek baat batata hun. Jab koi Narayan ki sharan leta hai, use Hari mil jaate hai. Jise Hari mil jaaye use aur kya chahiye ho sakta hai?”

“Bohot alag hoti hai unki duniya. Hum cheel insaano ki tarah nahi hote jo sirf ped paudhe kha ke reh sake. Hum mein woh prakritik aadatein hoti hai. Shikaar karte hai chote jaanwaro ka.”

“Haan toh kisne kaha hai prakriti ke virrudh chale jaao?”

“Par saare pandit kehte hai ki Narayan ke sharan mein aane wale ko shikaar karna mana hota hai.”

“Main batata hun, Aakesh. Garud khud bhi naagon ko khate hai toh kya woh Narayan ki sharan mein nahi hai? Sheshnaag bhi apne naag roop mein shikaar karte hai. Prakritik hai, Aakesh. Prakriti ko uske niyam anusaar chalne dena chahiye. Yeh jo prakriti ka rath hai use chalte rehna hota hai. Har jeev se bada aur takatwar koi na koi hoga. Ek chote se jugnu ko maindhak khata hai. Uss maindhak ko ek saanp khata hai. Saanp ko nevla ya cheel khata hai. Cheel nevle ko bhi khata hai. Cheel ka shikaar insaan kar lete hai. Yeh chakra chalta rehta hai. Ise tod nahi sakte hai. In mein se kisi ek jeev ko bhi hata do toh prakriti ka santulan kho jaata hai.”

“Kehna kya chahte ho?”

“Narayan ki sharan mein jo bhi jeev aate hai unhe sirf itna yaad rakhna hota hai. 1, kisi bhi brahman ki hatya unse na ho. 2, Sheshnaag vansh ko na maare. 3, Garud ke vansh ko na maare. 4, Apni maryaada ko bhul ke kisi bhi acche insaan ko chahte hue haani na pohochaaye. 5, Apni bhuk se zyaada kisi bhi jeev ko na khaaye.”

Bani was the direct descendant of Sheshnaag and Alaknanda directly descended from Garud. Markaat picked up the pointy tall diya kept near the idol and stabbed Bani with it.

“Aaahhh…” Bani shouted in pain. Her blood spilled over Veer and the idol.

“Bas….” Veer shouted loudly. Everyone stopped whatever they were doing at how loudly Veer had roared. Bani pulled out the diya but it had injured her lungs and she felt difficulty in breathing.

“Bani….” Balwant and Pawan went towards her. They held her before she could fall down. Veer stood there and watched Bani’s state. Veer clenched his fists. Bani’s pain fuelled Veer with rage.

“Tumne khud mujhe apni haar de di, Suryash. Shayad apne ghamand mein bhul gaye ki tumne khud hi apna kawach tod diya hai.” Veer’s tone was threatening. Markaat looked confused.

“Bani Sheshnaag ke vansh se hai. Alaknanda Garud ke vansh se hai. Abhi bas abhi kuch der pehle tumne ek brahman ko mara hai. Kitne hi insaano ko maara hai tumne. Naaglok mein toh tumne pura ka pura attack hi chod diya.” Veer reminded him.

“Main abhi haara nahi hun, Veeranshu.” Markaat ran towards him. Veer dodged the attack, grabbed Markaat by the back of his head and smashed it against the feet of the idol. Pulling him away Veer kicked him. Markaat fell and crashed against a large tree. Veer pulled out his wings and flew down right at him. Landing with his knee on his chest. He heard a loud crack. He broke a few ribs. He grabbed Markaat and pulled him up. Veer punched him continuously without a stop.

Shakura flew up and kicked Veer away from Markaat. Veer turned to Shakura. Bad idea to cross Veer right now. Veer was in his sanki mood. Veer pulled out a dagger and went on stabbing Shakura on various places. Shakura tried to defend himself but Veer wasn’t playing around this time. He was going for the kill.

“Itni asaan maut nahi de raha tujhe. Wait for your turn.” Veer told him. Veer punched him so hard that he crashed against a tree and fell unconscious.

Markaat grabbed Veer in a headlock. Veer twirled the dagger in his hands and continuously stabbed Markaat on his waist till the grip loosened. Once it did, Veer threw him over his head. The same diya that he used to stab Bani, Veer impaled it over Markaat.

“Aaaahhhh…” Markaat shouted in pain. Veer kicked him. Markaat crashed against the idol.

“Bola tha tujhe. Aakhri baar jaake unhe bula le ki tujhe bachane aaye. Tujhe yaad hi nahi rehta ki mujhe tayyar karne waale tum khud ko. Aakesh ko training tumne hi di thi na? Kisi ko bhi maarne se hickichana nahi chahiye.” Veer taunted him.

Markaat attacked Veer. Pulling out his wings, Markaat kicked away Veer. Veer pulled out his wings. He dived at Markaat with his talons out ready. Gashing on his chest, Veer attacked him. Some of the cheels on Markaat’s side shot arrows at Veer. It hit him on his back but the attack on Markaat didn’t stop.

“Mujhe tumne hi apni tarah train kiya tha na? Aaj uska test le hi lo. I’m sure I’ll pass with flying colours.” Veer taunted Markaat. Markaat tried to attack Veer but he dodged and dived towards him, landing a punch on his face. The jaw cracked at the force.

“Veeranshu, suno. Mujhe maaro mat. Tumhe pata hai. Main tumhe sabh kuch dene ke liye tayyar hun. Tum aur main ek saath raaj kar sakte hai. Puri duniya par. Humari takkar ka koi nahi hoga. Chaho toh tum Nageshwari ko apne saath rakho. Mujhe koi mushkil nahi hai.” Markaat tried to negotiate dodged Veer’s next attack. He picked up the next diya and swung it at Veer. It hit Veer and he fell down.

“Bohot der kar di, Suryash. Negotiation ka time jaa chuka hai. Tumne Bani par attack kiya hai. Meri Bani ko marne ki koshish ki hai. Ise toh galti se bhi maaf nahi kar sakta. Sawaal hi nahi hota. Tune Bani ko hurt kiya hai. Not acceptable. Abh yaa toh tu marega yaa main.”

Markaat attacked Veer but Veer jumped away behind the idol and the talons hit against the idol. The way it clashed against the idol, sparks were formed.

“Sharam karo, Suryash, tum Narayan par attack kar rahe ho? Tch tch tch tch… Disrespectful.” Veer taunted him shaking his head. Markaat jumped over the idol to attack Veer. Veer turned around and elbowed Markaat. Grabbing his head and crashing it against the idol.

“Veer…” Markaat growled.

“Arrey? Itna gussa kyu? Tumhe wahan se shuru kiya tha. Unke pairon se. Pata hai? Tumse bohot zyaada pyaar karte the Narayan. Tabhi toh tumhe bachane ke liye Shiv ji ke paas bhi chale gaye. Iss duniya shayad aur koi aisa nahi raha hoga jise unhone aise defend kiya hoga. Socho. Sheshnaag ne apne kitne bhaiyo ki chita jalayi hogi. Tabhi ek word tak Narayan se nahi kaha. Hurts, Suryash. Mujhe sunke bura lagta hai. Ki apne sabse azeez person ke pariwaar ke log apne hi saathi ke wajah se mare ho. Dard hota hai.” Veer reminded Markaat.

“Tumhe kuch nahi pata hai. Sabse takatwar banna chahta tha main. Aur agar aise sapne dekhe hai toh galat kya hai?”

“Tumne sabse takatwar banne ke nahi, nature ke law ke upar hone ki koshish ki hai.” Veer used the idol as a support and kicked Markaat away. “Come on. We’re all freaks of nature but not above it.”

“Main upar rehna chahta hun. Haan. Sabse upar. Mujhe harane waala koi bhi na ho aisa sapna dekha hai maine kyuki main hun itna ambitious.”

“Oh wow. English word seekha yaar. Shakura sikha raha tha kya?”

“Tum… tum kamzor ho. Na toh khud us mukaam tak pohochna chahte ho na hi mujhe pohochne de rahe ho. Suparn ki body hai mere paas par usmein woh baat nahi hai. Tumhare paas khaas shaktiya hai. Tumhare khoon se Gandhak hi nahi Naagmani bhi kaam karti hai. Tumhari baat pura aasmaan manta hai. Aasmaan bhi tumhare saamne jhukta hai. Suraj bhi apna tez tumse dur rakhta hai. Yeh sab iss duniya mein koi aur nahi kar sakta. Tumhari yeh body kisi bhi nahi haar sakti. Nageshwari ka zeher hai tum mein. Uske paas alag alag zeher par un sabh ko haraya hai tumne. Chahe koi bhi zeher de tumhe, abh tumhe koi zeher nahi maar sakta. Garud aur Arun dono ka vansh tummein ubhar ke aata hai. Sabse shaktishaali cheel ho. Iss duniya ke saare pakshi tumhari baat sunte hai.”

“Isiliye tujhe meri body chahiye. But sorry to burst your bubble. That’s trespassing my property. And by addition Bani’s.”

“Nageshwari ki kaise?”

“Agar Bani meri patni hai toh main bhi uska pati hun. Mera jitna Bani par haq hai utna uska bhi hai mujhpe.”

Markaat angrily kicked the mud.

“Yeh… yeh aadat tumhari hi saari mushkil hai. Nageshwari. Nageshwari. Nageshwari. Uske aage duniya hai, Aakesh. Aasmaan ki unchayi dekho. Uss unchayi ko chune ki takat hai tummein par aage khade ho jaate ho uske saamne jo uss dharti ke niyam se aage nahi jaa sakti.”

“Roshni, Markaat. Yeh Roshni hai jo mujhe humesha apne paas bulati thi. Kabhi samajh nahi paaya ki Aakesh ki maa ko Narayan mein aisa kya dikha ki apni zindagi ka bhi khyal nahi raha. Itna vishwas ho gaya tha ki sabh kuch Narayan ho gaye unke liye. Har din uss mandir ke saamne khade rehke samajhne ki koshish ki hai ki kya hai woh Roshni jisne maa ko itni takat se kheecha. Maa ko tumne maar diya. Uske baad koi raha hi nahi jisse Aakesh pyaar bhi kar paata. Jahan bhi dekha sirf andhera tha. Accha bandha tha mujhe. Andar se uss andhere ki bechaini kha rahi thi mujhe. Samajh nahi aata tha ki kyu hun? Kya karna chahta hun? Kyu zinda hun? Mere hone ka matlab bhi kya hai? Itni takat ke baad bhi andar uss bechaini ko khatam nahi kar paata tha. Andhere mein akele hone ka ehsaas hota tha.”

Veer turned to look at Bani. She was slowly healing herself. Bani looked at him. They looked at each other.

“Woh pehla nazara dil mein reh gaya. Nageshwari ko dekha toh use dekha jo kho diya tha. Jaise uski muskurahat pe suraj bhi chamakta tha. Har subeh ugta hai toh use apni Roshni se chuke sone ke tarah chamkata tha. Jaise uski Muskaan pe puri duniya hi ruk jaaye. Uski aankhon mein alag se pyaar hai jo kisi ke paas nahi tha. Kisi mein nahi dekha. Innocence tha jo main bohot pehle kho chuka tha. Koel ki awaaz jitni meethi hoti hai usse zyaada meethi uski awaaz thi.”

“Kya kiya Nageshwari ne? Maar diya tumhe, Aakesh. Sabh chal tha. Sabh Hari ki maya hai.”

“Maya hai toh maya hi sahi, yaar. Abh dil nahi hai isse dur jaane ka. Roshni mil gayi hai. Raat ka chaand theek hai par sunrise ki softness nahi waha. Jaisi kisi cheez ke liye jeene ka matlab deti hai. Hope.”

“Bewakoof ho tum, Veeranshu. Takat ko bhul rahe ho aur bas use dekh rahe ho.”

“Of course nahi bhula main, Suryash. Agar bhul gaya hota toh tum par taras kha ke chod diya hota kyuki at the end of the day tum Narayan ke sabse pyaare cheel the. Chod diya hota but kya karun. Main bhi tumhari tarah hun.”

Markaat attacked Veer but he ducked and gashed through his chest.

“Tum mujhe nahi maar sakte. Main saare cheelon ka devta hun. Sabhko insaan hone ka vardaan maine diya hai.”

“True. Sach hai aur mere iss monstrous side ko bhi tumne hi banaya hai. Cheelon ko afsos nahi karna chahiye. Khanjar banaoge aur uske saath khilaune ki tarah kheloge toh chances hote hai ki tum khud ghayal ho jaao.”

"Tum mujhse nahi bachoge, Veeranshu."